FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND LINKS TO SKILLS PROGRAMMES

First Full Level 2

Fully subsidised training is available for those people needing to achieve their first full Level 2 qualification. Skills for Life needs will also be addressed as part of this offer. Skills for Life needs are literacy and numeracy skills.

Learner eligibility criteria for funding are as follows:

• Must not already hold or be studying for a full vocational L2
qualification, or have 5 GCSE’s at grades A–C
• Must have a contract of employment or be a volunteer with
the organisation. There is no requirement that a volunteer
commits to a minimum number of hours each week.
• Must be over 19 (no upper age limits apply)
• Have 3 year residency in the UK or EU countries
Where a learner does not have their first full Level 2 qualification, and their job role indicates that a Level 3 qualification would be more appropriate (eg if they are supervisor) then they will be able to “jump” straight to the Level 3 qualification which will be funded in the same way.

Train to Gain Funded Provision

Fully funded Level 2 qualifications, and Level 3 trials, can only be delivered by approved LSC providers. There are a wide range of providers able to deliver across the SW – both colleges (FE) and private Work Based Learning Providers.

Where provision is not available – either in terms of a qualification or because of capacity issues within existing provision - the “Regional Response Fund” can be used to:

• introduce a qualification not currently available
• source additional funding for existing providers to ensure they are able to deliver the training to the required number of learners
• introduce new providers where an employer wishes to work with a specific provider or there is no provider able to deliver the qualification in the SW

All of this is in response to employer demand. Access to the Regional Response Fund is through the Skills Brokerage Service.

Contribution to Wage Costs (for first Full Level 2)

This supports the First Full Level 2 offer above. For organisations employing less than 50 people, there is a contribution to wage costs to cover costs incurred when releasing eligible employees for training with their training provider during normal working hours.

This contribution can be claimed once the learner has achieved their qualification.
The wage compensation arrangements do not apply to volunteers attending training as they are unpaid.

Level 3 Trial

A subsidy is available to employers to support those employees needing a full Level 3 qualification. (This does not have to be their first Full Level 3). Employers will be expected to make a mandatory contribution towards the cost of the training of £692. This arrangement is expected to continue until Sept 08.

Where a learner does not have their first full Level 3 qualification, and their job role indicates that a Level 4 qualification would be more appropriate (eg they are a manager) then they will be able to “jump” straight to the Level 4 qualification with the same level of subsidy and mandatory contribution of £692.

The “Contribution to Wage Costs” is not available to support this programme. The Level 3 trial arrangements do not apply to volunteers.

Second Level 2 Entitlement

From early 2008, priority unemployed groups will be able to access a fully funded second full Level 2 to help their re-entry into employment. This will help ensure that those returning to work have a relevant qualification for their new area of employment.

Clearance and clarification is awaited from DIUS (Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills) before this is rolled out.

Leadership and Management (to end August 2008)

Train to Gain provides access to support for Leadership and Management skills development. It provides a grant of up to £1000 (matched on a 50:50 basis) for organisations employing between 5 and 249 people. This arrangement has been extended from the end of March to August and is available on a first come first served basis.